10/29/2025
Update: Called the lab who has Rio’s intestines today, they are behind, and it fiukd be up yo a month. In the meantime, Diamond has assured me everything is fine on their end-they tested the batch, blah blah blah- their standard response.
💔 Justice for Rio – A Wake-Up Call for Pet Owners and Breeders
On October 29th, I came home to a nightmare: my beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Rio, was dead. Blood and vomit covered my floors. That morning, he’d been healthy, vibrant, and full of life.
The only change? A newly opened bag of Diamond Dog Food.
Two dogs had already been vomiting the night before. I suspected the food immediately. This morning, I took Rio’s body to Griffin Animal Disease Lab in Monroe for a necropsy. Preliminary results ruled out common causes like a ruptured mass or bleeding ulcer. The damage was isolated to his intestinal tract. They suspect Salmonella—but cultures are pending.
Rio wasn’t just a pet. He was the cornerstone of my breeding program at Sleepy Hollow Kennels, a boutique operation with over 20 years of legacy. His death is a personal tragedy and a professional loss.
I’ve filed a formal complaint with the FDA and submitted evidence to Diamond Pet Foods. But as I’ve learned, accountability in these cases is rare. That’s why I’m speaking out.
📸 I’ve documented everything—from the blood-stained floors to Rio’s final moments.
📍 Chester, SC | Sleepy Hollow Kennels
🔗 PetFoodIllness.com – Rio’s story and resources for reporting
If you’re a breeder, pet owner, or advocate—please share this.
We deserve transparency. Our dogs deserve safety.
Rio deserved better.